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The Register — 2020
16 entries, #167 to #182 · transcribed from the notebook
Notebook five, and you'll know what sort of year 2020 were without me spelling it out. For a fair stretch we walked from the house, and the register walked with us. Sixteen shoes, down from twenty-two the year before, and the gaps between some of these entries say what needs saying, so I'll not add to it. Castle Hill and Beaumont Park did a lot of the work that year — three from the Hill, which were a record for a single location at the time. Our Linda kept doing the sandwiches. The flask went out every time, same as always. Reading it back now, the entries are steadier than I remember feeling, which is what a notebook is for, I suppose. The pen were a blue Bic that lasted the whole year, and come August, when we got the moors back, the handwriting gets bigger. I've transcribed it as it stands.
#167
4 January 2020 · Left boot, black
Wessenden Head Road, above Marsden
Left boot. Black, well worn, sole parting at the heel, top two eyelets without lace. On the verge of Wessenden Head Road where the moor comes down to the tarmac. First of the year. Grey with a hard wind off the tops. Flask conditions good but I drank it stood up as the ground were sodden. Photograph came out reasonable. A steady start.
#168
26 January 2020 · Right trainer, white
Canal towpath below Lock 22E, Slaithwaite
Right trainer. White originally, laces present and knotted. On its side on the towpath below Lock 22E at Slaithwaite. Weather were mild for January and the canal were high after all the rain. Sat a short while on the lock beam with the flask. Cheese and pickle. Photograph came out a bit dark but it'll do.
#169
16 February 2020 · Left boot, tan
Blackmoorfoot Reservoir, west side
Left boot. Tan, laced to the top, in fair condition considering. On the reservoir path at Blackmoorfoot, the west side. Storm Dennis were on and I nearly didn't go, but a boot doesn't record itself. Rain coming sideways off the water. No sit-down, no photograph worth keeping. Flask drunk in the car afterwards, which I don't usually do, but there's a limit.
#170
7 March 2020 · Child's trainer, right, blue
Conduit path below Deer Hill, Meltham
Child's trainer. Right, blue with a white stripe, small, laces done up. On the conduit path below Deer Hill, sat square on a flat stone. How it come to be there is not for me to say. Bright morning, cold, good visibility across to Meltham. Brought the stool and used it. Flask conditions very good. Two photographs taken, one came out.
#171
29 March 2020 · Left shoe, black
Castle Hill, Almondbury
Left shoe. Black, a lace-up of the ordinary sort, laces gone. In the grass below the drystone wall on the north side of Castle Hill. We're walking from the house at present, which is the way of things just now, and Castle Hill is within reach on foot if you set off sharp. Cold and clear, hardly a soul up there. Flask came in the small rucksack. Photograph came out well.
#172
16 May 2020 · Right plimsoll, black
Beaumont Park, Huddersfield
Right plimsoll. Black, elastic gusset sort, no laces to report. Under the bandstand steps at Beaumont Park. Still walking from the house, so the park is getting more of my attention than it's used to. First entry in seven weeks, which I'll leave as it stands. Warm morning, park quiet early on. Egg and cress on a bench. Flask conditions good. Photograph came out.
#173
6 June 2020 · Left trainer, grey
Canal towpath, Longroyd Bridge
Left trainer. Grey, size eight or thereabouts, lace in but undone. On the towpath at Longroyd Bridge, up against the wall by the bridge hole. The canal within walking distance has been gone over thoroughly these past weeks, so finding one on it were satisfying in a quiet way. Overcast and close. Flask conditions fair, tea slightly stewed. Photograph grainy but usable.
#174
27 June 2020 · Right boot, brown
Lumb Lane, Almondbury
Right boot. Brown, work sort, steel toe by the look of it, one lace missing. On the wall along Lumb Lane, Almondbury, set upright. Found on the morning walk from the house. Weather warm and heavy, rain arrived by ten. No sit-down as there were nowhere sensible to put the stool. Photographed twice and both came out, which is unusual.
#175
18 July 2020 · Left sandal, brown leather
Castle Hill, Almondbury
Left sandal. Brown leather, buckle sort, buckle still fastened. In the hollow by the path up the east side of Castle Hill. Second visit of the year to the Hill and it has now given me two, which is decent going for one hill. Fine morning, warm, haze over the valley. Sat on the stool half an hour. Flask conditions excellent. Photograph came out.
#176
8 August 2020 · Right boot, black
Butterley Reservoir, Marsden
Right boot. Black, heavily weathered, been out a winter at least, no laces. By the overflow at Butterley Reservoir. First proper run out in the car since March and I'd be lying if I said it weren't a crackin' morning for it. Set off half seven. Sun on the water, light wind. Full sit-down: stool, flask, cheese and pickle, Penguin. Three photographs, two came out.
#177
31 August 2020 · Left shoe, dark brown
Lane out of Hade Edge, towards Dunford Road
Left shoe. Dark brown, a derby by the eyelets, four of them, lace present on one side only. On the verge of the lane out of Hade Edge towards Dunford Road. Bank holiday Monday and more folk about than I'd like, but the shoe weren't bothered and neither were I. Grey, dry, cool for August. Flask conditions good. Photograph came out a bit soft.
#178
19 September 2020 · Right trainer, navy
Dam wall path, Digley Reservoir
Right trainer. Navy, laces knotted together, which I noted but won't speculate on. On the dam wall path at Digley Reservoir. A good still morning, mist off the water first thing, cleared by nine. Sat on the stool a fair while as it were too pleasant not to. Egg and cress. Flask conditions very good. Two photographs, both came out. A strong entry all round.
#179
10 October 2020 · Left brogue, black
Layby off the B6114, above Scammonden Water
Left brogue. Black, proper punched toe, laces in and tied, sole barely worn. In the layby off the B6114 above Scammonden Water. Smart shoe for a layby but that's not for me to wonder at. Weather sharp, first proper cold of the autumn, wind coming up the valley off the M62. Flask drunk stood by the wall. Photograph came out well.
#180
25 October 2020 · Right boot, brown
Canal towpath by Lock 42E, Marsden
Right boot. Brown, ankle sort, laces loose, mud right through it. On the towpath by Lock 42E above Marsden, tight against the balance beam. Clocks had gone back and the light were flat all morning. Rain held off until I were done, which I appreciated. Sat on the lock beam, flask conditions good, tea just right. Photograph dark but it shows what it needs to.
#181
15 November 2020 · Left shoe, black
Beaumont Park, by the Meltham Road gate
Left shoe. Black, slip-on sort, no laces to record. Under the bottom hedge at Beaumont Park by the Meltham Road gate. We're back to walking from the house for the time being, so the park is on duty again. Wet underfoot, drizzle on and off all morning. Flask came but were drunk walking, which isn't ideal. No photograph worth keeping.
#182
13 December 2020 · Right boot, brown leather
Castle Hill, Almondbury
Right boot. Brown leather, laced to the third eyelet then nowt, toe scuffed white. In the rough grass below the tower on Castle Hill. Third from the Hill this year, which is a record for a single location and I've checked. Cold and clear, breath showing. Last of the year and a proper one to finish on. Flask conditions excellent. Photograph came out well.